Dvorak grateful for Ducks to come calling

ANAHEIM -- More often than not, it is NHL teams that let a player know when his days in the league are at an end.

Radek Dvorak played in 1,191 games with six teams after coming over from his native Czech Republic but a lengthy, respectable career was at a crossroads when no offers came his way after playing for Dallas last season.

The prospect of playing out his final competitive days in Europe was certainly available and Dvorak headed off to Switzerland. But a return to the league he called home for 16 seasons was what he really wanted.

After getting back to his Florida home to see his family for the first time in weeks, Dvorak got a text from his agent, Allan Walsh, telling him that an NHL team was showing interest. It was the Ducks, who finalized a deal worth a pro-rated $675,000 for the rest of the season.

"I'm so glad it was Anaheim," said Dvorak, who cleared waivers Monday morning and skated for the first time with his new teammates. "It's nice to be back in the NHL for sure.

"It was tough for me to leave after 17 years in the league. That’s how it is. That’s life. Like I said, it's nice to be back with a team like Anaheim. One of the best teams in the league."

Dvorak won't play for the Ducks in their home game Monday against San Jose and his debut may be a bit delayed as the club irons on his immigration paperwork.

But the veteran winger couldn't keep from smiling as he spoke. The Ducks not only offered him an avenue back into the league but they could give him a rare chance at shooting for a Stanley Cup.

Over his career, Dvorak has only been in the playoffs four times and his two longest runs came in 1995-96 as a rookie with Florida and a decade later with Edmonton. Both made it to the Cup final.

"You always have high expectations and this team has that," he said. "They're playing great. I’ve been watching them. It’s been good so hopefully I can fit in and help, you know. Help the guys, win more games and get to the playoffs and go as far as you can. Go for a Cup."

Dvorak has 219 goals and 577 points with six teams but compiled just four goals and 17 assists in 73 games with Dallas. His days as a support scorer are behind him but the Ducks see Dvorak as a experienced player who can handle a variety of roles when needed.

Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said Dvorak likely won't play every day but believes he can use him either on his natural right side or the off wing.

"He can still skate," Boudreau said. "He can still play. He’s a good penalty killer, which is something that we can use. We can never have enough of [that]. So he’s going to be a good advantage to our team."

Sheldon Souray played with Dvorak in Dallas and said "he'll blend in perfectly" with his professional attitude.

"I was surprised he didn’t get a contract actually at the end of the season and going into this year because he had a pretty good year in Dallas," Souray said. "He was one of the guys that was really consistent.

"He’s just a really good guy. He plays hard. He’s an honest player. He’s going to be a good depth guy who can fill in really anywhere and play well."

Dvorak won't need much to get up to speed as he comes off playing for HC Davos in a first-round National League A playoff series against Zurich. A seven-game loss made him available earlier than expected to keep his NHL career alive.

"I was hoping," he said. "Deep in my mind and my soul, I was hoping if I come back [that] maybe I can get another shot. It happened."

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